Staff photo by Steve Muscatello New Ulm’s Connor Foley goes up for a shot after getting past Sleepy Eye defenders Carter Brinkman (30) and Zach Haala Monday in Sleepy Eye. For more photos of this event go to cu.nujournal.com

SLEEPY EYE — Connor Foley’s 30 points helped New Ulm down Sleepy Eye 61-43 on Monday in a nonconference boys’ basketball game.

Sleepy Eye assistant coach Scott Hadley was honored before the game for his 34 years of service to the district. He will retire at the end of the school year.

New Ulm got the opening tip-off scored the game’s first four points on baskets by Foley. The closest that Sleepy got to the Eagles all night was within one point (4-3) early in the contest.

The Indians tried to press the Eagles, but the Eagles handled the press well by getting the basketball in the front court and running its offense.

“We’ve seen it (the press) a few times before, and our kids knew what to do,” New Ulm coach Adam Tyhurst said. “We did a really good job horn to horn.

Mistakes, turnovers and missed shots all contributed to New Ulm holding a 32-14 halftime lead, including a 7-0 run before the break. Paco Eliserio drilled a 3-pointer to end the drought for Sleepy Eye.

“Our guys did a really good job of playing with a lead. Everyone did a really good job,” Tyhurst said.

New Ulm did not let up opening in the second half as the Eagles opened up a 10-0 advantage. Foley and Cooper Yackley scored on four free throws and two lay-ups and one basket.

Sleepy Eye got a basket at 12:38 for its first score of the second half. Foley responded with two free throws, four baskets and one slam dunk to boost the Eagles’ lead to 53-24.

The Indians remained persistent as they scored when needed to stay in the game. That included Sleepy Eye getting the final seven points of the game.

“We never give up,” Sleepy Eye coach Shane Heiderscheidt said. “It’s not in us. They’ll [the players] fight no matter what. Basketball is a game of runs, and ours came too late for us.”

Yackley had 12 points for New Ulm.

Jose Ibarra had eight points and Caleb Christensen had seven points for Sleepy Eye.

New Ulm (7-18) will face an opponent to be determined in the first round of the Subsection 2AAA playoffs. Sleepy Eye (8-17) will play at St. Mary’s on Thursday in the first round of the Section 2A, North Subsection playoffs.